Aircraft Financing & Leasing from EUR 1 Million to Well Above EUR 100 Million
Financing and leasing solutions for private jets, business aircraft, turboprops, airliners and selected fleet projects.
Lohn Aviation structures the aviation-related requirements, introduces suitable financing partners and supports the process from initial assessment through contractual implementation. We maintain close and transparent partnerships with one major German bank and two international aircraft finance specialists.
Clear division of responsibilities: Lohn Aviation is not a bank, lender or lessor. We do not extend credit, provide lease funding or make credit decisions. We act solely as an aviation-sector intermediary and project coordinator. All assessment, terms, approvals and contractual commitments remain the exclusive responsibility of the relevant financing partner.
EUR 1 Million to 100 Million+
Financing volume in euros or equivalent, subject to the project and financing partner.
3 Financing Partners
One major German bank and two international aircraft finance specialists.
One Point of Contact
Coordination across the aircraft, operating concept, documentation and financing partners.
What Does Aircraft Financing Through Lohn Aviation Mean?
The short answer: We translate an aviation project into a credible financing request and connect the client with a financing partner suited to the asset and proposed structure.
An aircraft is not a standard capital asset. Type, age, maintenance status, registry, ownership and operator structure, mission profile, annual utilisation, residual value and operating concept all influence financeability. We therefore assess more than the purchase price and equity contribution; we consider the project as a whole.
Before financing is pursued, the selected aircraft should be proven capable of performing the owner’s actual missions reliably. Our Aircraft Acquisition advisory combines mission analysis, market search and technical transaction support. Following acquisition, our Aircraft Management team can coordinate operations, crew, maintenance, cost control and, where appropriate, potential charter integration.
Our Role in the Process
- Confidential initial project assessment
- Review of the aircraft, purchase price and operating concept
- Structuring the financing request
- Selection of a financing partner with a potential fit
- Coordination of the required documentation
- Support through term sheet, due diligence and closing
- Clear separation between intermediation and credit decision-making
No approval without due diligence: Financeability and terms always depend on the borrower, asset, equity contribution, jurisdiction, documentation and the financing partner’s decision.
Which Aircraft Financing and Leasing Structures May Be Considered?
The appropriate and available structure can only be determined after reviewing the specific project. The following overview is for orientation and does not constitute a financing offer.
| Structure | Basic Principle | Typical Question |
|---|---|---|
| Secured Loan Financing | The buyer or an ownership vehicle acquires the aircraft, while the lender provides debt against agreed security. | What leverage, tenor, amortisation profile and covenants are sustainable for the asset and borrower? |
| Finance Lease or Hire Purchase | Long-term, finance-oriented use with a contractually defined ownership or purchase perspective. | How are title, purchase option, residual value, accounting and tax treatment addressed? |
| Operating Lease | Time-limited use of an aircraft without the user necessarily becoming its owner. | Do the lease term, return conditions, maintenance reserves, utilisation limits and residual-value allocation fit the project? |
| Sale and Leaseback | An existing or newly acquired aircraft is sold to a lessor and leased back to the operator or user. | Can liquidity be released without interrupting operational use of the aircraft? |
| Refinancing or Bespoke Structure | Existing financing is reorganised or aligned with revised ownership, fleet or utilisation objectives. | Which structure fits the remaining term, market value, exit plan and future operation? |
Terms such as finance lease, operating lease and hire purchase may have different legal, accounting and tax consequences depending on the agreement and jurisdiction. Legal, tax and accounting treatment must be assessed by the relevant professional advisers and contracting parties.
Which Aircraft Projects May Be Eligible for an Introduction?
We support selected financing and leasing enquiries ranging from EUR 1 million to well above EUR 100 million, or equivalent. This may include individual aircraft as well as more complex transactions or fleet projects.
Business Aviation
New and pre-owned private jets, business aircraft and turboprops for private, corporate or mixed use.
Commercial Aviation
Passenger and cargo aircraft, long-term lease projects and selected single-aircraft or fleet transactions.
Existing Assets & Change
Refinancing, sale and leaseback, fleet renewal, ownership changes or alignment with a revised operating model.
Aircraft Finance Starts with the Right Aircraft, Not with the Bank
Purchase price and interest rate are only part of the decision. An unsuitable aircraft, unrealistic mission profile or weak operating concept can change the economics of the entire transaction. We therefore connect financing with Aircraft Acquisition, Aircraft Management and, for commercial capacity projects, ACMI expertise.
How an Aircraft Finance Introduction Works
- Confidential initial assessment: Project, funding requirement, timeline and preferred structure.
- Asset and mission fit: Aircraft, purchase price, technical position and intended use.
- Ownership and operating concept: Borrower or SPV, registry, base, management and utilisation.
- Financing request: Preparation of decision-relevant information and a coordinated approach to a suitable partner.
- Indicative terms or term sheet: Review of equity, tenor, amortisation, security, fees and conditions.
- Due diligence: KYC, credit, valuation, technical records, contracts, insurance and legal structure.
- Closing and implementation: Coordination of the parties through funding, delivery or lease commencement.
What Financing Partners Typically Assess
- Identity, credit standing and financial capacity of the borrower
- Beneficial ownership, ownership structure and KYC documentation
- Equity contribution, leverage and debt-service capacity
- Aircraft type, age, market value, maintenance position and technical history
- Purchase agreement, delivery timing, registry, base and jurisdiction
- Private, corporate, commercial or mixed use
- Operating, management, maintenance and insurance arrangements
- Residual value, exit plan and, where relevant, charter or lease income
The weighting differs by partner and transaction. There is therefore no universally applicable loan-to-value or minimum equity ratio.
Which Documents Are Needed for an Initial Review?
For an initial assessment, the key project facts are often sufficient. Additional documentation is requested as the coordinated process progresses.
- Required financing volume and proposed equity contribution
- Aircraft type, year, serial number and purchase price, if known
- Status of any offer, LOI or purchase agreement
- Proposed borrower or aircraft-owning SPV
- Registry, base, utilisation profile and annual flight hours
- Proposed Aircraft Management or operator concept
- Timeline for acquisition, delivery or refinancing
Financial information, KYC documents, valuations, technical records, insurance evidence and contractual documents are commonly required later in the process.
Transparent Partnerships, Clear Decision-Making Authority
Our close relationships with one major German bank and two international aircraft financiers provide direct access to experienced contacts across different transaction sizes and structures.
We select the potential contact based on the asset, borrower, region, volume and preferred structure rather than a standard product. Before any approach, we agree which information may be shared with which partner.
The financing partner remains solely responsible for credit assessment, valuation, compliance, terms, approval and any contractual offer. Lohn Aviation does not provide a financing commitment and does not replace legal, tax, accounting or investment advice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aircraft Financing and Leasing
Is Lohn Aviation a bank or aircraft lender?
No. Lohn Aviation is not a bank, lender or lessor. We do not extend credit or make credit decisions. We introduce suitable financing partners, structure the aviation-related information and support the process.
What financing amounts can be introduced?
We support selected projects from approximately EUR 1 million to well above EUR 100 million, or equivalent. Financeability depends on factors including the borrower, equity contribution, aircraft, market value, age, operating concept, jurisdiction and the financing partner’s assessment.
Which aircraft may be financed or leased?
Depending on the transaction and financing partner, eligible assets may include new and pre-owned private jets, business aircraft, turboprops, passenger aircraft, freighters and selected fleet projects. Age, marketability, technical history and residual value are important criteria.
What is the difference between loan financing, a finance lease and an operating lease?
Under loan financing, the buyer or its SPV acquires the aircraft using equity and debt. A finance lease is more closely aligned with long-term financing and often includes a purchase perspective. An operating lease focuses on time-limited use. The precise legal, tax and accounting classification depends entirely on the agreement and jurisdiction.
How much equity is required for aircraft financing?
There is no reliable universal percentage. The required equity contribution depends on credit quality, aircraft type, age, market value, tenor, residual-value risk, utilisation and structure. Only the relevant financing partner can specify a ratio following review.
Can a special-purpose vehicle finance the aircraft?
An aircraft-owning company or SPV may form part of a structure. Relevant factors include beneficial ownership, guarantees, cash flow, registry, legal and tax framework, and the financing partner’s requirements. The specific structure requires legal and tax review.
Can an older or pre-owned aircraft be financed?
Yes, a pre-owned aircraft may be financeable. Relevant factors include its age at the beginning and end of the term, maintenance condition, records, programme coverage, upcoming inspections, market liquidity and expected residual value. The financing partner decides each case individually.
How long does aircraft financing take?
Timing depends on the completeness of documentation, complexity of the structure, KYC, valuation, technical review, contract status and registry. A well-prepared project can be assessed more efficiently, but no credible fixed closing date can be promised without reviewing the case.
Can cross-border ownership and registry structures be supported?
Selected cross-border projects can be supported. Availability and structure depend on the borrower’s location and credit standing, beneficial ownership, registry, area of operation, sanctions, tax law and the relevant financing partner’s policies.
Is ACMI the same as aircraft leasing?
No. ACMI is an operational arrangement under which an operator provides Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance. Finance leases and operating leases concern the economic and contractual use or financing of an asset. In airliner projects, both levels must be aligned. Learn more about Airline Charter & ACMI.
Why should Aircraft Management be defined before financing?
Base, crew, maintenance, insurance, annual utilisation and possible charter integration affect costs, availability and value preservation. A robust Aircraft Management concept therefore gives both the owner and financing partner a better decision-making basis.
What is the first step?
For a confidential initial assessment, we need the financing requirement, aircraft or search profile, purchase price or market value, proposed equity contribution, ownership and utilisation structure, and timeline. We can then assess whether a partner appears to be a potential fit.
Let Us Discuss Your Aircraft Project Confidentially
Whether the project involves a private jet, business aircraft, airliner or fleet, we first assess its aviation logic, structure the key facts and consider which financing partner may be a potential fit.
Notice: This page does not constitute a credit or leasing offer or a financing commitment. All financing and leasing decisions and all terms remain the sole responsibility of the relevant contracting partner.